April 18, 2010

With an impressive career high all-around score of 39.725, earning All-America first team honors on vault, breaking her record of 10 all-around titles and accomplishing so much more this season alone, senior Sarah Shire has been making history at Mizzou and is now awaiting a chance to reach her dream of making the podium at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships in Gainesville, Fla., on April 22-24.

Shire first learned gymnastics from the bus program at the age of 3, in which a bus went from preschool to preschool in Columbia, Mo., and taught girls basic skills for 45 minutes once a week. She began competing in the sport at the age of 5 when she started at the Tiger Academy in Columbia, Mo., in the Hearnes Center.

At first, Shire just loved and enjoyed competing in the sport. As she got older, it became a way to get a scholarship and a way to connect with other girls. "Gymnastics is like its own sorority," said Shire.

However, she credits her driving force as wanting to give back to the sport.

"I've made it this far. I always say I use the talent God gave me to let other people enjoy my performance. So, in a sense, I think talent is something everyone has and since I've been lucky enough to receive it, it's my duty to use it."

But, with talent comes sacrifice, hard work and the ability to overcome hardship. While in high school, Shire had to miss school dances, time for socializing and family vacations in order to continue improving and striving for her dreams. Although to her, these were sacrifices worth making.

With such strong dedication, it is difficult to believe that Shire would have many hardships. She had, indeed, made countless sacrifices in order to reach that dream, one including moving halfway across the state to train at GAGE Center in Blue Springs, Mo. In 2002, Shire made the U.S.A. National Team and her dream was to compete in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece. That dream, unfortunately, never materialized.

"My dreams were shattered after 2004 and the Olympics," Shire said. "After that I stopped setting goals. In my mind, if you set goals and you don't accomplish them, then you fail."

Shire stopped setting goals, almost. Her junior year of college she set a goal of making it to nationals. That goal, unlike the one in 2004, was realized. Shire's perseverance led her to set more goals. She wanted to be an All-American and she achieved that as well.

"When I started getting some confidence in myself, and realizing I can accomplish a goal, I started setting more. I have now set the goal that I want to be on the podium in the all-around at nationals."

She realizes that this goal can be reached with the help of her team and loved ones.

"I can't forget the steps that it's going to take," Shire described. "I have to do well on that first day and I also can't forget that I can't do it alone. It's going to take all my teammates and all the coaches around me to get me there. So, if I get selfish and get a big head that will go away."

And at this ending point of her college career, she notes that she would probably be disappointed with her season if she didn't attain her goal of being on the podium at nationals.

Whether or not she stands on that podium, Shire has impressive goals for her future. A life that does not include wearing a leotard. Shire would like to attend graduate school here at the University of Missouri. She is looking into the health education and promotion master's degree.

Nevertheless, gymnastics has been a huge part of her life, so she would like to continue with the team. Shire would take on a coaching position if it was offered to her.

"I never thought I would coach and I think that's because I've always known the club aspect," Shire said. "But college is such a different world. You're dealing with athletes who really want to be here, you're dealing with athletes who already have talent, and I would love to perfect that talent and help them with the mental side. I think that's what has made me as good as I am now."

All of the new, available opportunities excites Shire, "It's exciting because now my life starts over in a sense. I get to do all the stuff I've never done before, so it's kind of closing one chapter and moving to the next. And it's time."

For all the aspiring young gymnasts out there, Shire comments that you should just always follow your dreams. No matter what they may be, just go after them.

"The times that I didn't set goals were the times when I did the worst. So set those goals, follow them, and believe in them. I think you really have to trust in your own ability and dream big so that you can win big. And if you have that support around you - your coaching staff and teammates - believe in them and believe in yourself and everything will fall in place. It really will."

Shire's competitive gymnastics career began in the Hearnes Center. The same exact building in which she has set numerous Missouri records and become one of the best collegiate gymnasts in the country. Shire said she just hopes to make an impact on the sport of gymnastics. Who is to argue that impact has not already been made?